Local Highlight- Strawberries

April 15, 2013

Did you know that strawberries are number 6 on the "Dirty Dozen" list of most pesticide contaminated produce?

This week, the Local Highlight features Strawberries from the Rodriguez Brothers Ranch. The Rodriguez Brothers Ranch is a certified organic farm that has been growing organic berries in Ventura Country since 2004, just 70 miles from Oxy!

Beginning as pickers in the fields, Roberto and Manuel Rodriguez decided to start a farm of their own and use organic practices to protect the health of their families and workers. The 35-acres Rodriguez Ranch has been family owned and operated from day one. Along with the help of their wives and children, 16 out of the 20 farm employees are Rodriguez cousins! Although it's more energy intensive to grow strawberries organically, the Rodriguez Ranch is committed to this method because it helps maintain the health of the soil, rebuilds biodiversity, and the fruit tastes better, so these strawberries are safer for the environment and your health. Find these strawberries at the Bakery and the Deli Salad station.